Baguette (The Easiest Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Are baguettes difficult to make? ›

Baking a great baguette isn't difficult, but to get the best possible result then it takes a little planning. I use two extended fermentation periods/proofs in this process. Both in my opinion are crucial for obtaining the best result. While these baguettes take a little planning, the handling time is very little.

One of the secrets of a great baguette is to start with a sponge (a mix of flour, water, and yeast), which gives the yeast time to mature and combine with the other ingredients, creating the mildly sour and nutty flavors and chewy texture.

Baguette or pain courant, which is what we typically call “French bread,” would be more of a commercial style (cottony texture and yeasted) whereas baguette de tradition would be more of the long-fermented style.

First and foremost, the flour used in France is of very high quality. But the major difference between French and an American baguette is the fermentation process. Most French bakers use a poolish process, which consists of a mix of yeast and water that's allowed to ferment overnight.

This percentage straddles the line between most American all-purpose flours and bread flours, but King Arthur all-purpose flour (the one in the red bag), with its higher-than-normal 11.7% protein, actually makes an excellent baguette flour.

I was told this is because the only ingredients are flour, water and yeast. No oils, eggs or milk are used to soften the end result. These are the only ingredients in French bread as well. A French baguette is a lean dough so it literally only contains 4 ingredients: water, flour, yeast, and salt.

If your crust is becoming soft too quickly and not staying crispy you simply need to bake the bread longer. The best way to do this is to lower the temperature of your oven slightly and bake a few more minutes to achieve the same color you would have at the higher temperature.

Are baguettes healthier than bread? Baguettes are similar in nutritional value to traditional white bread. Both baguettes and white bread are high in calories and carbohydrates while remaining low in fat content. Baguettes tend to contain more protein and sodium than white bread.

Secret three: Preheat the oven for baking with a pan of boiling water. Then once ready to bake, spray the oven with water for extra steam. THIS is what will give you the crunchy crust. An absolute necessity for a classic French Baguette!

A classic and versatile full-size 21-inch baguette with a delicate flavor. Scored and baked to golden perfection with a thin crust. No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or colors from artificial sources.

What is a Louisiana baguette? ›

This thin-crusted variety of French Bread—more commonly known as the Baguette, Po' Boy Loaf or Sunday Cap Bread—is fundamental to the New Orleans gastronomy. Each version of the French bread is slightly different. The baguette is the traditional 18-inch loaf that is served in many New Orleans restaurants.

Panera French Baguette offers a wealth of meal preparations, from appetizers and sandwiches to the ideal pairing for a soup or salad. Scored and baked to perfection, this French bread baguette has a thin crust. Available as a whole loaf, this dairy free bread is vegetarian.

The French bread law

The law states that traditional baguettes have to be made on the premises they're sold and can only be made with four ingredients: wheat flour, water, salt and yeast. They can't be frozen at any stage or contain additives or preservatives, which also means they go stale within 24 hours.

The baguette is one of France's most-loved loaves and is eaten throughout the day. Baguettes can be eaten as early as breakfast time—often toasted, buttered, and dunked in coffee. It's a source of carbohydrates and the fiber necessary to start the day off right! Fruit jam can also be added for an extra treat.

French baguettes are protected by law.

France passed a law in 1993 that establishes standards for their culinary symbol. According to law, baguettes must be made on the premises where they are sold and contain only the four base ingredients. They should never be frozen or contain additives or preservatives.

A fresh baguette is glorious when it's soft on the inside with a crusty exterior, but a hardened or stale baguette is unappetizing. The good news is that it's often possible to bring breads back to life when they're no longer fresh.

And although they're usually a smaller accent stone, because of the baguette diamond's square corners and larger surface area from fewer facets, they are more vulnerable to chips and cracks. Choosing a more secure setting, like bezel or channel settings, can help to protect these stones against damage.

A baguette is a long, thin type of bread that is commonly made from basic lean dough (the dough, though not the shape, is defined by French law). It is distinguishable by its length, crisp crust on the outside and soft inner core.

Are baguettes healthier than bread? Baguettes are similar in nutritional value to traditional white bread. Both baguettes and white bread are high in calories and carbohydrates while remaining low in fat content. Baguettes tend to contain more protein and sodium than white bread.